Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Billy Wonka (A) on December 28, 2014 at 00:06:16

Jolie strived for the former but almost got both her dainty feet square in the latter. This was a film that made the protagonist something of a miracle man to have survived what we endured during this film.

People have said this was "formulaic" and it is. Not that it's a bad thing but it's just the way these audience pleasers unfold on screen. Jolie uses flashbacks to show us young Louie's life as a child and Olympic athlete and how his character grew to help him survive being lost at sea and being abused as a POW. Fortunately, the violence seems more horrific in the trailers than in the total context of the film. Although, it is difficult to see such tests of stamina and spirit in such a small span of screen time.

Jack O'Connell did a good job as the irrepressible Louie Zamperini while Takamasa Ishihara played the slithering "Bird" (camp commandant). Domhnall Gleeson gets honorable mention as Louie's survival buddy.

There's isn't much to fault production-wise other than you have seen this all before. If you are sliding off the top of the Bell Curve to the left you will love this movie. Perhaps picture of the year.